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The Housing Department today (December 8) carried out an eviction operation to recover a unit at Tze Ching Estate occupied by a tenant who has been allotted 17 penalty points under the Marking Scheme for Tenancy Enforcement in Public Rental Housing (PRH) Estates.
Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Lau Kai-hung, stressed that the tenant would not be rendered homeless as temporary accommodation had been reserved for him at Po Tin Transit Centre and upon establishment of genuine housing need, Interim Housing would be arranged.
The tenant refused to move out of his flat voluntarily following the independent Appeal Panel's decision on October 28 to confirm the Notice-To-Quit (NTQ) issued by the Housing Authority.
A "Notice to Occupier" requiring him to voluntarily surrender his flat within seven days was issued on November 10. An "Eviction Notice" was served to him on November 17 notifying him to voluntarily surrender his flat within 21 days and eviction action would be taken on December 8 should he fail to do so.
"Together with the Social Welfare Department, we have repeatedly offered to provide assistance, but was rejected by the tenant," Mr Lau said, adding that sufficient time has been given for him to make arrangements to move out.
The tenant was allotted seven points in August 2003 for spitting in public areas. The following year, he was allotted five points for obstructing corridors and staircases with sundry items rendering cleansing difficult and another five points in February 2005 for accumulating a large quantity of refuse or waste inside leased premise, creating offensive smell and hygienic nuisance.
"The Housing Authority then issued a NTQ to terminate his tenancy. The tenant lodged an appeal to the Appeal Panel," Mr Lau said.
Noting that the department adopted a zero tolerance policy against hygiene-related misdeeds, Mr Lau said strict enforcement action would be taken in the wake of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in neighbouring countries and places.
This is the fourth case in which the tenancy of a PRH household has been terminated after being allotted 16 or more penalty points under the Marking Scheme. The first two cases were granted discretionary amendment to the NTQ by the Panel. The tenant in the third case surrendered his flat.
Introduced in August 2003, the Marking Scheme aims to strengthen enforcement measures against hygiene-related offences in PRH estates and interim housing estates to promote civic responsibility among tenants and to improve the living environment of the estates.
The Scheme targets offences that damage public hygiene or pose public health hazards. Points given for offences will be valid for a period of 24 months. An accumulation of 16 points within a 24-month period will trigger action for tenancy termination.
As at end November this year, 3,053 points-allotted cases have been recorded and 65 households are carrying 10 to 15 points due to commitment of two or more misdeeds.
Ends/Thursday, December 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:36
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